Kate broke the Kodak moment when she felt a familiar urge. "This is probably a good time for a bathroom break," she said to Rick, "I think Espo is sitting on my bladder."

Rick groaned and closed his eyes. "I'm never going to be able to look at Esposito the same way after hearing that," he joked.

Kate laughed. "I'll be back in five minutes."

She was a few feet from the entrance to the restaurant when she spotted Lanie, looking sensational in a short red dress and black heels. The friends embraced warmly – they had missed each other over the past few months. Although they'd maintained contact, Kate's recent desk duty meant that they hadn't seen each other at work as much as they used to.

"You are the most beautiful pregnant lady I have ever seen," Lanie commented, shaking her head as she surveyed Kate. "I mean, it is disgusting how good you look. You almost make me want to be pregnant."

Kate laughed. "Almost being the operative word. Pregnancy has been… interesting, but at this point, I am so ready for it to be over. My back is killing me."

"I have to admit it's still a trip seeing you walk around with that big belly popping out in front of you. It's just… surreal to think that you're going to be a mom."

"Yeah, it's pretty surreal for me too."

"You're going to be phenomenal at it though," Lanie said with soft certainty. "You know that, right? I mean, it's just… right."

Kate nodded. "I mean, it's definitely weird, but deep down it feels like this was all meant to be." She rolled her eyes. "Listen to me; now I'm beginning to sound like Castle."

"Where is Castle, anyway? I expected him to be practically glued to your side."

"He's somewhere out there, doing interviews and mingling. I need to go to the bathroom. There are many great things about being pregnant, but all this peeing? Not one of them."

"I'll come with you."

They had barely entered the ladies' restroom when Kate was stunned to hear her name spoken from inside one of two occupied stalls.

"All I'm saying is, if I were you, I wouldn't mess around with Kate Beckett," one woman was saying, presumably to the woman in the other stall. "Not only is she gorgeous, she carries a gun."

The woman in the other stall giggled. "Please! It's not Kate Beckett that I'd like to mess around with. Richard Castle is exactly my type – handsome, charming and loaded. Plus, rumor has it he's pretty sensational in the sack."

"You forgot to mention that he's also married, and head over heels in love with his wife," came the other woman's voice, followed by a muffled flush. She continued, "I mean, the man writes books about her, and makes her out to be some sort of world-conquering goddess of justice. If that's not love, I don't know what is. I'm pretty sure the only person having sensational sex with Richard Castle these days is Kate Beckett."

Just as she finished speaking, the woman opened the door of her stall and stood frozen in shock at the sight of Kate and Lanie standing there. Lanie had her arms crossed over her chest and a steely look in her eyes. Kate was much more relaxed than her friend. She even lifted her hand in a small wave.

Oblivious to the scene playing outside her stall, the other woman flushed her toilet before responding to her friend. "Please – at the end of the day, he's a guy, and we all know how they –." She stepped out of the stall, and then froze.

The tableau would have been funny if it wasn't so tense – Kate and Lanie on one side of the room, the other two frozen in embarrassment on the other. The woman who had emerged from her stall first was a brunette, wearing a long blue sheath; her friend, the one who had her eye on Rick, was a petite blonde in a short black cocktail dress. Both women looked young, probably in their early twenties.

The room was silent for a moment, and then the blonde spoke up, laughing nervously. "Uh, listen, I was just playing around. I really didn't mean –"

Lanie held up a finger and shook her head. "Save it. Just save it."

Both younger women nodded awkwardly and had turned silently in the direction of the door when Lanie pointed out sternly, "You forgot to wash your hands!"

Red-faced, they scrambled back to the sinks, washed and dried their hands under Lanie's razor-sharp gaze and Kate's serene one, and then almost ran out of the restroom.

Kate waited until the door was shut before dissolving into giggles. "Oh my god, Lanie. That was hysterical."

Lanie was not amused. "Well, at least the one in the blue dress has her head screwed on right. Can you believe that other girl? Do your thing, Kate, and let's get out of here before any more thirsty 'fans' come through."

Ten minutes later, Kate was back beside Rick on the red carpet. He took her hand. "You were gone for a while there, Beckett. What happened?"

Kate smiled. "Lanie happened."

"Now that's a story I have got to hear."

He would have to wait, not that Kate was sure she would ever share this particular tale with him. For now though, the interviews continued.


Archie Gray, reporter with GNA News:

"Hi Rick," Archie began the interview, "a big night for you in more ways than one. New book, New baby on the way – seems like you're living the dream."

"You're telling me. The other day I pinched myself so hard, I had a bruise for days."

Archie laughed. "The book looks set to fly off the shelves, just like the ones before it. What is it about Nikki Heat that keeps readers coming back for more?"

"Well, you'd have to ask them, but –"

"Wait a minute; I think I will ask them, right now. Detective Beckett, I know you're a reader of your husband's books. What do you think is the Nikki Heat appeal?"

"Well, I enjoy the camaraderie, the humor, the relationships that Nikki shares with Rook and her team," Kate responded. "I love a good mystery – with lots of twists and turns and a really satisfying ending that brings it all together. So I think that's what Rick's readers really enjoy."

"There you go, Rick," Archie said.

"While I don't disagree with Kate –," Rick began.

"Because you're a smart man. I never disagree with my wife," Archie quipped.

Kate laughed. "Oh no, we disagree plenty," she stated.

"But not on this," Rick continued. "I agree that readers enjoy the things Kate mentioned – well, hopefully they do. But your question was about the appeal of Nikki Heat. And Kate gave you a typically self-effacing answer. She didn't address the fact that Nikki is someone who's dealt with a lot of pain in her life. In spite of all that, she fights for others, while navigating the same life issues as the rest of us. I think people like and respect Nikki; I think she gives them hope in a cynical world. And on top of all that, she's hot."

"Well said," Archie replied. "And you're very fortunate to have the woman who inspired such a remarkable character by your side. Detective Beckett, how does it feel to be the inspiration behind these bestselling books?"

"Well," Kate admitted, "let's just say it's taken some getting used to! It's a little overwhelming sometimes, to say the least. But I love the books, they're a part of our story, and I'm really proud of Rick and what he's accomplished with the character."

"You look amazing tonight. How are you feeling? Looks like the baby will be here any day."

"I'm good, thanks."

"Well, you look great. Earlier this year, I had the privilege of seeing you at a fundraiser for the scholarship fund in honor of your mother. She obviously had a tremendous impact on your life. Now that you're on the brink of motherhood yourself, do you feel even more inspired by your mom's legacy?"

"Oh, absolutely," Kate confirmed, nodding vigorously. "My mom taught me so much, and if I can pass that on, I'll be more than happy with that."

"It must be very emotional not having her with you at such a special time."

"Absolutely. I do have a great support system, for which I'm very thankful. But of course I miss my mom as much as ever – that will never go away."

"Well," Archie said, "I personally believe that she lives in you, and she'll live on in your children. Thank you for your time. And good luck with the book and the baby."

"Thank you very much," Kate and Rick chorused.


As they made their way further down the red carpet and closer to the restaurant, Rick gave Kate a silent, soft squeeze of comfort. She squeezed back just as Maddie Queller walked up to them, resplendent in a long, halter-necked, amber-toned dress. "There's my favorite couple," she said, with a wide smile, "you two always look so good together."

She stood beside them to pose for photographs. "Thanks again, you guys, for choosing Q3 for this party. This is excellent publicity for the restaurant."

"Thanks for making it happen," Kate replied.

Rick nodded. "The place looks great."

"Glad you like it," Maddie grinned. "I have to run and check on things inside, but before I go, we need to seal the deal on this whole godmother thing." Maddie had been campaigning for the role of godmother for months, ever since bumping into Kate at another restaurant and discovering that her old friend was pregnant.

"Maddie," Kate teased, "your name's already on the ballot, and you'll get the results along with everyone else. But you've got to remember that there are lots of other candidates."

"But how many of them can say that they basically predicted that you'd have little Castle babies – and long before you were even an item? Come on, I have got to top the list." She turned as someone gestured to her from the entrance of the restaurant. "Gotta run – see you inside."

As she hurried off, she looked over her shoulder and delivered her parting shot. "Remember, top of the list."

Rick shrugged. "Well, she does have a point. She totally called it."

"Well, at this rate, the boys are going to have ten godparents," Kate replied. She started counting potential godparents off on her fingers. "Alexis, Javi, Lanie, Kevin, Jenny, Maddie…."

She was interrupted by Gina, who was walking briskly into the restaurant. "Five minutes, Rick, Kate, and then we'll get started. Rick, I'll introduce you shortly after you come in."

"One more interview," Rick said, moving in the direction of the next reporter.


Stacy Sienna, society reporter with Manorama:

"Rick Castle," Stacy purred in her tight black sheath, "it's such a pleasure to be with you tonight at the launch of your new novel, which by all accounts is destined to be another bestseller. I'm a huge fan of your work – I've already read Hamptons Heat, and I absolutely loved it."

"Thank you; I couldn't do this without all your support."

"Who are you wearing tonight?"

"Wow – that's a first," Rick observed. "Usually, my wife gets that question – I'm just wearing a boring ol' tux."

"Well, I don't know if you're familiar with our publication, Manorama –"

"No, I haven't come across it before."

"It's new on the market – sort of a style bible for the discerning male. And of course you're just the sort of guy our target audience wants to read about – the sophisticated and smart writer with a hugely successful career."

"Not to mention the beautiful, accomplished wife."

"So anyway," Stacy continued, disregarding Rick's last comment, "that's why I'm asking who you're wearing tonight. It's exquisitely tailored, and I'm sure our readers will want to know."

"Tim Fearne."

"I guessed as much, and may I say that you look very dashing, very handsome."

"Thanks."

Stacy turned to Kate. "Detective Beckett, how does it feel to share in your husband's success tonight?"

"It's great – he worked very hard on this book and I think it's his best yet."

"So you've read it," Stacy said with a dubious look on her face.

"Of course," was Kate's firm response.

"Kate and my daughter Alexis are always my first and finest critics," Rick inserted.

"I'm just a little surprised," Stacy went on, "that you find the spare time to read, Detective Beckett, what with all the demands of your job. And especially now that you're obviously on the verge of starting a family as well."

Kate decided it was time to speak plainly. "When something's important to me, I make time for it. Don't you?"

Taken aback by Kate's response, Stacy struggled to find her next words. "I, uh… what I meant was…."

"We should move on," Rick said.

Rick was visibly bristling as they walked away from the simpering Stacy. "What the hell was that?"

"I wouldn't sweat it, Castle," Kate shrugged. "She's just another bimbo with a crush. If nothing else, she'll write you a nice puff piece in her men's magazine and win you a few more fans. Nothing wrong with that."

Rick sighed. "We've done more than enough of these anyway. Let's go inside."


A/N: Many thanks to my friend Angie for being a sounding-board when I was writing this chapter, and to everyone who's sticking with me through this story. Thank you so much for reading and reviewing!